( which I’ll try to cover as many as I can over some forthcoming series of posts here), but one diorama did dominate the main display area – A working 40” Thunderbird 2 complete with hangar, runway and rising launch platform, that did everything apart from take - off and fly around the Space Centre.
This
ambitious undertaking was built by Ben ten Westenend, a brilliant scale
modeller who hails from the Netherlands. He and his assistant Robert Zijderveld
brought this and several other models for display, all the way by car.
The
Thunderbird 2 model is actually 4” longer than the original studio prop which
was apparently 36”.
The secret cliff
door descends into the ground, revealing the hangar door. Once it’s open, the
mighty Thunderbird moves forward as the palm tree fall to the side.It is fully
lit, with cockpit, observation windows and flashing navigation lights.
Even the Cliff House is illuminated. All the gadgets are operated by a hand held remote control.
Even the Cliff House is illuminated. All the gadgets are operated by a hand held remote control.
The
removable pod has rollers and contains an electric motor which carries the
model to and from the launch platform.
Once it’s in
position, the launch platform rises and the engine exhaust extractor flips up.
All this to the sound of the engines (I believe the original engine sound was
from an Avro Vulcan)
It was used
constantly throughout the Saturday, and sadly towards the end of the day the
pod motor had a minor breakdown. Ben checked it and found a broken ‘o’ ring was
the culprit, which meant Thunderbird 2 was grounded at the end of the runway for the rest of the day.
Thankfully,
on the Sunday Ben managed to find and fit a spare, much to everyone’s relief.
The detail
is truly remarkable. The hangar lighting looks exactly like what we see on
screen.
Considering the logistics involved I don't know whether Ben and Robert will decide to display the whole set up in future, but I and everybody at the event was certainly pleased to see it.
Wow! They certainly didn't find that in a box of cereal.
ReplyDeleteIf they had, it would be a very big box, Terra.;)
DeleteAn amazing model in truly awesome setting! I wonder what amount of work & means must have gone into such an achievement. Excellent photography once again, Scoop.
ReplyDeleteThanks Arto. Ben's models tend to be very big. He did a huge Thunderbird 1 coming in to land last year complete with model smoke!
DeleteWow! That is impressive work!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have seen FAB Worlds in the flesh, but your photos are the next best thing!
Thanks for sharing!
A few photos to come, Lewis.:)
DeleteIncredible I say! Looking at this blog we get to see and learn some new details on the remade set; like we can even see what kit parts were used for main structure, besides the boxy shape outside. Dapol Girder Bridge pieces I recognize easily, despite the original moulds made by Airfix, but what do you lot think the other kit parts could be?
ReplyDelete